TVS has launched the Star City Plus special edition at Rs 54,579 (ex-showroom, Delhi). This version features a new white and black colour scheme with red highlights. The price remains unchanged from other dual-tone Star City Plus models, which cost around Rs 1,500 more than the single-tone models.

The Star City Plus Kargil edition that the company launched in February 2019 continues to remain the most expensive variant of the bike, priced at Rs 55,579 (ex-showroom, Delhi). TVS says that the new variant is targeted at the festive season. We saw Honda do something similar with the Honda CB Shine Limited Edition, where it got new dual-tone colour schemes as well.

Nothing else has changed on the new model and it remains mechanically identical to the current model. Powering it is the same 109.7cc engine that makes 8.4hp and 8.7Nm of torque.

The recently launched Revolt electric bikes find their roots in China, but that doesn’t change the fact that they offer a heap of equipment for the price. With things like keyless-start, a world of app-connected features, a USD fork and more, the Revolts are easily the best-specced motorcycles for the money. We knew all along that they would be very well priced, but Revolt pulled a shocker when they announced the pricing structure.

Taking a leaf out of the world of subscription-based purchase plans for mobile phones (like you find in the USA), Revolt’s EVs are sold on a monthly subscription programme. Essentially, you have to pay a monthly sum for a period of three years. At this point, you probably have some questions and we’re going to address them one by one:

How much do I have to pay?

First off, there’s is no down payment. Instead of one big payment, you pay small amounts as you go along. Rs 3,999 per month is what Revolt is charging for the top-spec RV 400. For Rs 3,499 a month, you can get a lower RV 400 variant that we’re told misses out on the fake exhaust sound and the app-enabled remote-start features. However, Revolt then surprised us with the reveal of a more basic, lower-spec RV 300 model that comes with a 1.5kW motor and a smaller battery as well. The RV 300 will cost Rs 2,999 per month for a period of three years.

Can I buy it outright?

No. At the moment, if you want a Revolt electric motorcycle, you have to follow this purchase model.

Who owns the vehicle?

This is not a lease or a rental system and the ownership of the vehicle will be yours. Revolt tells us that you need to simply walk into the showroom with an Aadhar card as proof. How the company plans to screen potential customers still remains to be confirmed but we understand that the customer’s credit scores will be evaluated as well. However, there is no clarity on what qualifies as the cut off. In simple terms, once the formalities have been completed and the first payment has been made, the bike will be yours and it will be legally registered in your name.

What does the price include?

Revolt says that registration will be free in certain states – including Delhi: the introductory market. As part of an introductory offer, Revolt says it will cover the maintenance costs as well as consumables like tyres (one set) and brake pads for 3 years or 30,000km. Further, introductory offers include a 5 year/75,000kmn warranty on the vehicle, an 8 year/1.5 lakh km warranty on the battery and Revolt will even take care of the government-mandated insurance requirements. However, there isn’t any clarity yet on how long this introductory offer is valid for or what will be offered once it expires. What we do know is that both the RV 400 and RV 300 qualify for these offers.

The company has also revealed that it won’t be charging customers who use its ‘Revolt Switch’ battery swap feature till December 31, 2019. Revolt Switch essentially allows you to swap your battery for a fully-charged one at a number of locations around the city.

What if I want to sell the bike?

Revolt says that you can sell the bike just as you would a normal vehicle and the next customer simply has to pick up where you left off with the payments. We assume a change of ownership will need to be notified to the company so they can update the owner’s payment credentials in their database. This is actually a good thing because it helps accurately keep track of second-hand vehicle ownership details. The second hand database is very unorganised at the moment as far too many people buy second hand bikes and don’t bother changing the registration details to their name.

What if I don’t make the payments?

If you have a DTH satellite TV connection in your house, you’ve probably experienced this already. The company will send you a couple of notifications following which, the service will be disconnected. Since the electric bike is always connected via the inbuilt SIM, Revolt will send you a couple of warnings before it disables the motorcycle. Functionality will be restored the moment you make your overdue payments. Of course, there will be numerous attempts made to defeat the system and it will be interesting to see how Revolt manages to stay on top of the Indian love for ‘jugaad’.

Sounds like a good deal?

Yes, it almost sounds too good to be true! Simple math will tell you that over a three-year period, the top-spec RV 400 will come to about Rs 1.43 lakh, which is a fair bit more than an Ather 450 (Rs 1.14 lakh on-road, Bengaluru). But the fact the Revolt is covering almost all the service related costs for three years is tempting, although Ather counters this by providing its customers free access to charging stations for some time. There’s also the fact that Ather’s expansion plans are frustratingly slow while Revolt plans to be in seven cities within the next four months.

Where the Revolt strategy really changes the game is that it opens the door to a whole new segment of people for whom the thought of spending this much money is daunting. If this sounds tempting to you and you want to know more about what the Revolt RV 400 is like click the links below.

Revolt has just launched the RV 400 and with it, a second model called the RV 300. The two are largely similar in terms of features, but the RV 300 sports a smaller battery and motor. We rode the RV 400and considering it uses a single-speed gearbox, it’s a lot like riding a scooter. The RV bikes also use a hand-operated rear brake lever instead of a foot-operated one like you’d usually see on a motorcycle. In effect, it’s similar to a scooter to ride, so we’ve decided to pit it against two more established electric scooters in the market – the Ather 450 and the Okinawa i-Praise.

Availability and cost

We usually address this towards the end of our comparisons, but the Revolt offerings follow a very interesting pricing structure that also illustrates the differences between the two RV 400 options. This pricing format allows you to own the RV 300 for Rs 2,999 a month paid over three years. The RV 400, meanwhile, is available in two plans – one is a Rs 3,499 a month-plan while the other costs Rs 3,999 a month (over the same duration). The RV 400 available with either plan are identical, with the only differences being that the buyer will miss out on the customisable exhaust note and start/stop via the app on the more affordable package. This structure is unlike anything we’ve seen in our market before as it means you could effectively own an electric two-wheeler for as little as Rs 2,999. We did the math, and over the 36-month period, you will be paying a total of Rs 1,07,964 for the RV 300, and Rs 1,25,964 and Rs 1,43,964, respectively, depending on which model and plan you pick for the RV 400.

Revolt has also promised a battery warranty of 8 years/1.5 lakh kilometres, free maintenance benefits (3 years/30,000kms), product warranty (5 years/75,000 km) and insurance (1-year company-owned, 5-years third-party), making it an even sweeter deal. For now, bookings for the bikes have opened in Delhi and Pune with deliveries set to begin in September. Operations in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Chennai are expected to follow in the next four months.

The Ather 450 is currently available in two cities – Bengaluru and Chennai. In Bengaluru, the 450 will set you back Rs 1.13 lakh and in Chennai, it costs Rs 1.22 lakh. The Ather also has a lease program that you can read about on its website. The i-Praise, on the other hand, is currently the most widely available of the lot and last we checked, the brand had over 200 authorised distributors across the country; the e-scooter carries an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 1.08 lakh.

Battery and performance

The most important parts of an EV are the batteries and motor, and on these three electric two-wheelers, they stack up pretty competitively. The Revolt RV 400 is equipped with a 3.24kWh battery pack that powers a 3kW motor. Range and performance vary depending on the three riding modes – Mode 1 that gives you an impressive range of 156km, but limits top speed to 40kph, Mode 2 that offers a 110km range with a 60kph top speed and Mode 3 will give you the least range of 80km, but with the highest top speed of 85kph.

The RV 300, on the other hand, uses a smaller 2.7kWh battery but also a motor that’s half as powerful with a rating of 1.5kW. Since the motor is less powerful and draws less energy from the battery, the RV 300 offers more range but also much lower top speeds – a range of 80km in Mode 1 comes with a top speed of 65kph, 110km in Mode 2 with 45kph and 180km in Mode 3 with an extremely low top speed of just 25kph. It’s worth noting that the tests for range are usually carried in controlled, ideal conditions and how these numbers translate to real world figures will be seen only once we’ve spent some time with the RV models. What sets the Revolt apart from the competition is the fact that its battery can be swapped out for a fully-charged one that the company will deliver to your doorstep. You also have the option to charge it yourself – the battery takes 3 hours to get to 75 percent and 4.5 hours for a full charge.

Now, onto a scooter that we have tested and spent a fair amount of time with – the Ather 450. The 450 is powered by a 2.4kWh battery that’s linked to a motor producing a continuous 3.3kW of power, with the peak value rated at 5.4kW. Just like the Revolt, the Ather offers three riding modes that alter performance and range – Eco, Ride and Sport. Eco mode offers a range of 75km, Ride will take you 65km on a full charge, and Sport mode is capable of 55km. We haven’t been able to put these numbers to the test, but Ather claims these are real-world numbers and the company has been rather honest about their numbers in the past. What we have had the opportunity to test is the performance (You can go here to read about all the performance numbers.) Ather has claimed a top speed of 80kph and a 0-60kph time of 3.9 seconds – numbers we achieved on our tests, too.

The last of the lot is Okinawa’s top of the line offering – the i-Praise. The manufacturer has claimed some very impressive numbers and the 2.9kWh on the i-Praise is supposedly capable of a range between 160-180km – almost twice as much as the Ather 450 and even more than the RV 400, despite the smaller battery pack. However, we’ve never been able to test how legitimate these numbers are, so how the i-Praise’s performance and range pan out in the real world remains to be seen. The motor on the i-Praise is a 2.5kW motor and this scooter, too, comes with three riding modes – Economy with a claimed top speed of 30-35kmph, Speed with a top speed of 50-60kmph and Turbo that will take you as fast as 60-70kmph.

Battery and performance

Revolt RV 400

Revolt RV 300

Ather 450

Okinawa i-Praise

Motor Power (Continuous/Peak)

3kW

1.5kW

3.3kW/5.4kW

1kW / 2.5kW

Torque

50Nm

NA

20.5Nm

NA

Top Speed

80kph

65kph

80kph

75kph

Range

150km*

180km*

75km**

160km*

Battery Capacity

3.24kWh

2.7kWh

2.4kWh

2.9kWh

Charging time (0-100 per cent)

4.5 hours

4.2 hours

4 hours 18 minutes

3-4 hours

*under ideal testing conditions

**real-world conditions

Hardware and design

If you’ve been following the updates on the RV 400, you probably know that it finds it has similarities with a couple of models from a Chinese motorcycle brand called Super Soco. That said, Revolt has revealed that it is working on increasing the localisation levels on the motorcycle. Both Revolt motorcycles are almost identical and compact – the RV 300 has a wheelbase that is shorter by 30mm at 1,320mm but a seat height of 826mm, which is 12mm more than on the RV 400. It also gets 10mm of extra ground clearance over the RV 400’s 215mm.

Hardware like a USD fork and adjustable monoshock are common among the two models but the RV 300 gets a smaller 180mm rear disc in comparison to the 240mm unit on the RV 400. The RV 300 also gets a slimmer rear tyre profile – 110/80-17 instead of 120/80-17 – and is also lighter by 7kg at 101kg.

The two scooters in this comparison are the more practical offerings on the list – the 450 has a more approachable seat height of 765mm compared to the 800mm on the i-Praise, both are lower than the RVs’. The two also offer underseat storage – the Ather’s is quite ample and we even managed to fit a small full-face helmet into it. The Okinawa’s isn't as generous with only 7 litres of space. For reference, the TVS Ntorq 125 has 22 litres of boot space. The Ather uses a light-weight frame and has a kerb weight of 118kg. This is a rather impressive figure for an EV considering how heavy batteries are, but the Revolt surprisingly beats the Ather in this regard.

Design and dimensions

Revolt RV 400

Revolt RV 300

Ather 450

Okinawa i-Praise

Front Suspension

USD fork

USD fork

Telescopic Fork

Telescopic Fork

Rear Suspension

Monoshock

Monoshock

Monoshock

Twin Shock Absorbers

Wheelbase

1350mm

1320mm

1278mm

NA

Ground Clearance

215mm

225mm

160mm

175mm

Seat Height

814mm

826mm

765mm

800mm

Tyre Size (Front)

90/80-17

90/80-17

90/90-12

90/90-12

Tyre Size (Rear)

120/80-17

110/80-17

90/90-12

90/90-12

Brakes (f/r)

240mm disc / 240mm disc

240mm disc / 180mm disc

200mm disc / 190mm disc

Disc / disc

Features

Revolt has called the RV 400 India’s first AI-enabled motorcycle and it comes with a host of features. Calling it Artificial Intelligence may be a bit of a stretch, but the Revolt app will let you track your bike, show real-time range based on your riding patterns, notify users about potential problems, and even allow the alteration of the artificial exhaust note. The RV 400 also gets reversible footpegs that improve ergonomics. The Revolts also come equipped with a 4G SIM card that constantly transmits information and ride statistics that can be monitored via the app.

The i-Praise’s ‘Okinawa Eco’ app can be paired to an equivalent smartphone app, with features like geofencing, battery and trip status, and maintenance schedule details, among others. The LCD unit on the i-Praise is a simple digital cluster that displays basic information like speed, range, etc. These features, however, are eclipsed by what the Ather 450 has on offer. The scooter boasts a 7.0-inch capacitive touchscreen that also allows for navigation, can show a large amount of information regarding previous ride statistics, along with scooter diagnostics, much like what the Revolt is capable of. Ather is also continuously collecting information from its scooters to improve its scooters.

Summing it up

The Revolt bikes certainly seem like a promising deal but what remains to be seen is how reliable and efficient the company's battery swapping infrastructure and delivery system will be. That said, given the interesting pricing structure that Revolt is offering, the RV 300 and RV 400 are very lucrative propositions and if the company can get the aftersales and infrastructure right, it may just be the vehicle that pushes a lot of people towards electric two-wheelers.

]]>Vishal Venugopal Vishal Venugopal Revolt RV vs rivals: Specifications comparison2461402461401Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:37:00 +1000413950Vishal Venugopal Autocar India staff photograherMon, 1 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +1000How does RV 400 stack up against the most well known EVs in India - the Ather 450 and Okinawa i-Praise? We compare the three, on paper.How does RV 400 stack up against the most well known EVs in India - the Ather 450 and Okinawa i-Praise? We compare the three, on paper.Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:37:00 +1000https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/revolt-rv-vs-rivals-specifications-comparison-413950#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Autocar+India+Bikes+up+to+110cc+feed413950Hero Splendor Plus special edition priced at Rs 55,600

Hero’s Splendor Plus ‘25 years special edition’ model has begun reaching dealerships in Delhi and Haryana. According to dealers, the special-edition model of the popular commuter has been priced at Rs 55,600, which means it costs Rs 1,000 more than the top-spec Splendor Plus variant (Rs 54,600, ex-showroom, Delhi).

The 25 years special-edition variant is based on the top-spec variant of the Splendor Plus which means it gets an electric starter, alloy wheels and i3s (Hero's auto start-stop tech). A special black-and-gold colour scheme, blacked-out engine casing and wheels, a USB charger and badges indicate it’s the 25 years special edition variant.

Everything else, however, is expected to remain the same as the standard model. This includes the 97.2cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that makes 8.3hp and 8Nm of torque. The gearbox will also remain the same as the 4-speed unit found on the standard model.

The 25 years special edition model, like the recently updated Splendor Plus, will also come equipped with Hero’s integrated braking system (IBS), which is now a mandatory feature as per updated safety norms.

In one of the more bizarre land speed record stories you’ll ever read, a businessman from Essex, UK, has set a new speed record in an auto rickshaw! 46-year-old Matt Everard, a freight firm boss, recorded a top speed of 74.306mph (119.583kph) in his heavily modified 1971 Bangkok tuk-tuk at the Elvington Airfield in York, and his attempt has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records.

Speaking to the Press Association, Everard described buying the rickshaw in 2017 as a result of a “boozy night”, where he purchased the tuk-tuk from an eBay seller for about £3,000 (Rs 2.74 lakh). Justifying such a purchase would not be “the easiest conversation” with his wife, so Everard decided to use it to set a new record.

After taking delivery, Everard set about modifying the rickshaw, replacing the original 350cc two-stroke engine with a 1.3-litre fuel-injected Daihatsu motor, giving it a wider track, two radiators, wheel arch extensions, chunkier tyres, new wheels, and overhauled suspension, dashboard and seats. Of course, the modifications came at a cost that’ll take a lifetime and a half to recover in fares – £20,000 (Rs 18.25 lakh)!

Everard was set a target of 68.35mph (110kph) by Guinness World Records, which he cleared comfortably with his cousin riding in the back seat (no, he didn’t have to pay for the ride). After the record run, Everard said, “I thought it was going to be more wobbly. At a certain speed there was a slight wheel-wobble, but once you went through that speed it kind of evened out again and it was fine. I wasn't scared.”

The plan was to breach the 90mph (145kph) mark, but Everard said he was “over the moon” with this attempt. He intends to return for a crack at clocking 100mph (160kph) – or the speed at which auto rickshaw drivers in India take off after refusing a fare.

TVS has announced that the Radeon will now be available in two new colour schemes – Volcano Red and Titanium Grey. Apart from the two newly introduced colours, the Radeon is available in four other colour schemes (white, beige, purple and black) and continues to be priced at Rs 50,070 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Radeon has always featured styling elements – like the tank grips, golden-finish engine block and brown seat – that set it apart from conventional 110cc commuters. The bike also features heavy use of chrome on the carrier, exhaust, crash guard, kick starter and rear shocks. This is interesting at a time when most other bike manufacturers are shifting away from using chrome and opting for blacked-out bits. Powering the motorcycle is a 109.7cc engine that makes 8.4hp and 8.7Nm of torque.

The TVS Radeon is also a part of our long-term fleet and you can read about our first report here. For the full review on the motorcycle, head here.

]]>Vishal Venugopal Vishal Venugopal TVS Radeon available in two new colour schemes2461402461401Vishal Venugopal TVS Radeon available in two new colour schemes2461402461401Fri, 10 May 2019 16:23:00 +1000412677Vishal Venugopal Autocar India staff photograherMon, 1 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +1000The Radeon is now available in two new colour schemes &#8211; Volcano Red and Titanium Grey
The Radeon is now available in two new colour schemes &#8211; Volcano Red and Titanium Grey
Fri, 10 May 2019 16:23:00 +1000https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/tvs-radeon-available-in-two-new-colour-schemes-412677#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Autocar+India+Bikes+up+to+110cc+feed412677Review: BluSnap 2 helmet cooler review

Last year, we reviewed a unique helmet cooler by a Bengaluru-based start-up called BluArmour. The first-gen BluSnap worked using a battery-powered fan that blew air through a filter. The filter was kept wet by a water reservoir and thanks to the process of evaporation, it would blow a gentle stream of cool wind on your face. It was a good idea in theory, but the hassle of having to fill the water reservoir frequently as well as its size and weight meant I didn’t end up using it for long. This second-gen model aims to address those issues.

For starters, the new one is 40 percent smaller, and at around 260g, it’s also about 30 percent lighter. The mounting system has also changed from the previous MX goggle style-strap to a sticky mount. I don’t like the fact that I have to stick something on my helmet, but the upside is that the system is more secure and easier to use. The mount is also compatible with an action cam, so that’s another plus.

The battery and fan have not changed, but the soft rubber chimney that pipes the cool air under the jaw of the helmet is now larger. Best of all, there’s no water reservoir now, and all you need to do is pull the filter out and soak it in water for 10 seconds to get about an hour and a half’s worth of cool air. This makes using the device much easier and you don’t have to worry about leaks if the helmet isn't kept in an upright position. A full charge takes four hours and will last for about 10 hours, which should be generous enough for the average week’s commute.

On the road, the improvements are massive. The gentle stream of cool air feels similar, but the whole unit is so much lighter and less noticeable. I once rode with it for 7 hours on a hot day of mileage testing and my neck wasn’t screaming in protest by the end of it. It only gets bothersome is while doing head checks in traffic, where the device consistently bumps into my shoulder.

BluArmour claims a temperature reduction of 6-15 degrees, based on the climate - evaporative cooling works better in dry heat. It certainly isn't like being in an air-conditioned room, but the stream of cool air is pleasant and it's good enough that you never need to open your visor, even when stationary at the lights. That brings us to the second big advantage of this device – dust filtration. While this is no PM2.5 filter, the company says it managed to block 75 percent particulate matter in their tests. The filter has a life of about 6 months, after which it will lose the ability to hold moisture. We hear that there might be even more effective filters coming in the next few months and these can be installed in the current device.

Visor defogging is another advantage, but as before, there is the safety concern of having a large device stuck to your helmet. The cooler is designed to break apart under impact, but I definitely won’t be wearing this outside of the city. If you get caught out in the rain, the device is said to be water resistant enough to handle a mild shower.

BluSnap 2 improves upon a great idea and is now much nicer to use, to the point that I enjoy having it on my daily commute and I see no need to stop using it. It’s nice to see that the Rs 2,200 price tag has stayed constant, and if motorcycle commutes in this searing summer heat are a regular thing for you, this device will help you keep a cool head.

The introduction of the BS-VI emission norms from April 2020 is expected to result in some casualties in the Indian automotive industry primarily due to the additional technology cost implications. One segment that'll be affected is vehicles with small diesel engines below 1.5 litres in cubic capacity and the other is entry-level petrol-run vehicles, primarily mopeds. While the former is happening as expected, the humble moped is set to put up a fight.

Mopeds contributed to four percent of the Indian two-wheeler market which sold over 21 million units in FY2019. TVS Motor Company, India's third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer has been the sole player in this segment after Hero and Kinetic exited the space many years ago.

K N Radhakrishnan, director and CEO, TVS Motor, confirmed about the company's plan to continue the moped in the BS-VI era too. "Mopeds will definitely be complying with the BS- VI norms," he said. The BS VI-related price impact on mopeds can be significant as the additional technology-related cost will be much more than in a scooter or motorcycle as a ratio of the retail price. Prices of TVS mopeds range between Rs 29,000 to Rs 38,000.

"The moped customer looks at convenience. We have to make sure that they get the benefit of utility. We have to come up with a strategy to support that (price hike)," said Radhakrishnan. Over the past few years, the moped has undergone evolution in terms of getting a four-stroke engine, a bigger engine (100cc), and an electric-start option. The moped segment grew over 2 percent during 2018-19, clocking sales of 880,000 units in the domestic market. Over 16,000 units were also exported last fiscal.

Second product from TVS Motor-BMW Motorrad alliance in the pipeline

At the other end of its product portfolio, TVS Motor is set to introduce the second product under its alliance with BMW Motorrad during the current financial year.

TVS Motor expects the industry, currently undergoing a slowdown, to pick up with the arrival of the festive season. It expects a healthy single-digit growth for the industry and expects to outpace the market growth during the year with new introductions and better market penetration.

During FY2019, the company added 150 dealerships to its network. Two-wheeler manufacturers have requested the government to revise the GST rate on two-wheelers from 28 percent to 18 percent. If that happens, TVS and its peers will get more wind in their sails.

TVS Motor also expects a revival of the scooter segment this year. While that happens, the company is also preparing to enter the electric mobility space during 2019-20.

MRF has launched a new tyre model called the Nylogrip Ezeeride. It is available in both, tube and tubeless forms, and in 10 sizes that fit across many popular models, ranging from Hero’s Splendor to Royal Enfield’s Bullet. Prices for the tyres start from Rs 1,400 (inclusive of GST).

Unlike MRF’s Zappers – which are suited towards sporty riding, thanks to their rounded profiles – the Ezeerides have an almost-squared off design that has a larger contact patch in the straight line. The new tyre model also promises to offer comfortable ride quality and efficient water channelling. The Indian tyre company has also said that these tyres are best suited towards commuter and cruiser bikes sold in India. The tyre suitability ranges all the way from the most affordable of bikes, like the Hero HF Deluxe, to the some premium ones like the Harley-Davidson Street 750.

Speaking on the launch, Koshy Varghese, executive vice president, marketing, MRF Ltd, said, “The MRF Nylogrip Ezeeride is designed with the added element of comfort, without compromising on the grip and durability normally associated with MRF tyres – truly a biker’s delight.”

Bajaj has launched a CBS-equipped version of the Bajaj Platina (Kick Start) at Rs 40,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The 100cc entry-level commuter motorcycle gets the safety tech less than a week before the government's ABS/CBS deadline of April 1, 2019.

The company hasn’t added the new variant of the motorcycle on their website yet. At present, the company only has an electric-start variant of the Platina 100, which is priced at Rs 47,405. This makes the Platina 100 Kick Start CBS Rs 6,905 cheaper. The competitive pricing brings it closer to Bajaj’s most affordable bike – the CT100 – which costs between Rs 32,000 and Rs 40,883.

Powering the commuter is a 102cc, two-valve, single-cylinder engine that makes 7.9hp at 7,500rpm and 8.3Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. This engine comes paired to a 4-speed (all-down) gearbox. Brakes remain drum units at both ends. The Platina 100 has a fuel-tank capacity of 11.5 litres.